Financing

The programme was initiated in 2007 by the German Federal Culture Foundation, the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Foundation for the Future of Education under the umbrella of GLS Treuhand e.V., with the additional involvement of the local authorities within the Ruhr region, private supporters and the participating families, as a coopera-tion project of the RUHR.2010 European Capital of Culture.
 
As from the school year 2011/12, “An Instrument for Every Child” will be funded solely by the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the tune of approx. €10 million per year. This sum is dedicated to continuing the project in the Ruhr region and developing it further. Therefore, following the implementation phase from 2007 to 2011, the programme can go into permanent operation in the Ruhr. Additionally, a number of pilot projects will also be supported outside the Ruhr.

The funding from the state is passed on to the music schools through the “An Instrument for Every Child” Foundation. Added to this are the fees paid by the parents as well as contributions from the local authorities. This revenue covers the costs for the music school teachers. The local authorities are also responsible for acquiring donations equivalent to 50% of the instrument costs.